It wasn't that long ago when people were wondering whether University of
Massachusetts men's basketball coach Bruiser Flint would be the head coach
anywhere for the 2000-01 season. As of Thursday, however, Flint is one of
several names being listed as potential candidates for the vacant head-coach
opening at the University of Miami.

The position opened when Leonard Hamilton left to become the coach of the
NBA's Washington Wizards.

In four years as UMass' head coach, Flint has a 71-57 record. His first two
teams reached the NCAA Tournament, before the 1998-99 team struggled en
route to a 14-16 campaign. The Minutemen are coming off a 17-16 season in
which they advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 Tournament and
received a bid to the NIT.

The coaching carousel could have several spins left before the summer is out.
The NBA's New Jersey Nets and Toronto Raptors both have coaching
vacancies. The Nets reportedly are interested in St. John's Mike Jarvis, while
the Raptors also could look to the college ranks.

* * *

After weeks of being a UMass assistant coach in an unofficial capacity, Chuck
Martin was officially hired to Flint's staff Wednesday.

Last year Martin served as an assistant at Manhattan under former Virginia
assistant Bobby Gonzalez, who was considered a strong recruiter under Pete
Gillen.

Prior to Manhattan, Martin worked for Hoop Group as well being the director
of the Eastern Invitational Basketball Camp, where he made several contacts
that could be valuable in recruiting.

"He has great contacts in New York, which will be really helpful," Flint said.
"He knows a lot of the AAU coaches down there."

Martin has UMass connections as well. After graduating from Monmouth in
1993, he served as an assistant coach at La Salle Academy in Manhattan,
before moving to St. Raymond's in the Bronx in 1995. St. Raymond's
produced former and current Minutemen Dana Dingle, Charlton Clarke and
Kitwana Rhymer.

* * *

UMass senior Monty Mack has until the end of the summer to complete his
degree credits to earn back his extra year of eligibility. According to Flint, it
shouldn't be a problem.

"He had an incomplete in one course and just needs to finish some work and
he'll be all set," Flint said.

Under NCAA rules, any player who is academically ineligible to play as a
freshman can regain his lost year of eligibility if he fulfills graduation
requirements in four years.